Balish stitching is one of the types of traditional needlework arts. Stay with Saad News to learn more about this art.
The word "Cossack" became popular in the late 15th century. Some believe that the root of this word comes from the Turkish word "gez," meaning wandering or always being on the move, as this group was always nomadic and did not settle in one place. Others believe that the term "Cossack" originates from the names of two major tribes of this group, "Kaspian" and "Saki," which gradually became known as "Kasaki," "Kazaki," "Kazakhi," and eventually turned into the word "Cossack." Some believe its origin is from the Mongolian word "Khazak," which was a means of transport for this tribe. Others think that the word "Cossack" is a combination of two words: "Gaz" meaning goose and "Aq" meaning white, referring to an ancient legend where a white goose from the steppes, which later became the home of the Cossacks, turned into a prince and the first Cossack was born. However, in Dehkhoda's dictionary, it is defined as homeless, adventurer, and rebel.
Cossacks
The Cossacks are a group who continued their nomadic lifestyle long after the 1917 Russian Revolution. However, over time and with the changing circumstances after the revolution in Russia, some of them migrated to neighboring countries, including Iran. Most of the Cossacks in Iran live in Gonbad-e Kavus, Gorgan, and Bandar Torkaman. The Cossacks of Bandar Torkaman arrived in Iran between 1931 and 1935. They first settled in the village of Salakh (Basirabad) and later in the village of Qara Su. Over time, they gradually moved to Bandar Torkaman city and settled in two neighborhoods, "Northern Cossack neighborhood" and "Southern Cossack neighborhood."
Blish Doozi
Blish Doozi or Cossack embroidery is another traditional handicraft in Golestan province, which is still practiced in some areas of the province. The Cossacks came to Iran from Kazakhstan about 50 years ago, so the history of this art in the province goes back half a century. They live in Gorgan, Gonbad, Bandar Torkaman, and Aq Qala. White linen fabric, velvet, black suede, and silk threads are among the raw materials used in this handicraft. The types of stitching used in Blish Doozi include "Santi Doozi" (satin stitch), short and long satin stitches, and "Almeh."
Most of the Almeh designs are square and use colors like red, maroon, green, and yellow. The shapes typically include flowers and leaves, and the fabric used for this stitch is white linen. This type of stitch is used for decorating Borama and Javalagh (a type of hat). In the four corners and the central pattern of the square-shaped scarves worn by Cossack women, the stitching is often done by hand on thick, light-colored fabric, especially white. Cossack embroidery is still sewn onto native clothing worn by women, and artists like Aqdas Aday, Sarkan Shadkam, Nadia Aday, and others are known for their contributions. Based on the settlement of these groups in several cities in the province, the areas of production are also determined accordingly, such as Gonbad, Bandar Torkaman, Gorgan, and Aq Qala. This type of embroidery is sewn by Cossack women on the cuffs, lower edges of the trousers (around the ankles), collars, chest areas of women’s clothes, and on scarves, "Javalagh," and "Borama" (hats).
Application of Blish Doozi
This group has a specific type of embroidery known in Iran as "Blish Doozi" or "Cossack Doozi," which is considered a traditional form of handcraft in Iran. Women use this embroidery to decorate clothes in areas such as the cuffs, ankle areas of trousers, around the collar, and chest. For large scarves, this embroidery is done on the corners and the center. This beautiful embroidery is typically stitched with a single color of twisted red silk thread, or patterns are stitched using yellow, green, and blue silk threads on thick white fabric. Nowadays, these patterns are often embroidered with embroidery machines.
Final Thoughts
The Blish Doozi art, which in some parts of Hormozgan province is also known as "Qali Doozi," involves joining several types of zari (brocade) together, with larger zari in the center and smaller ones surrounding it. The "Badleh," produced as strips 15 cm wide, is used for the edges of women's trousers. The trousers sewn with Badleh, which are typically worn by new brides in the southern regions, are sometimes worn by other women during weddings as well. These trousers feature buttons made with silk thread and are opened and closed through a slit on the side of the legs.
